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MARYLAND 
STATE COLONIZATION SOCIETY. 



[circular.] 



Rev. Sir: 

The undersigned, managers of the Maryland Coloni- 
zation Society, have been appointed, by the board, to address 
you on a subject of great importance to the institution. They 
are directed to solicit you, sir, in common with the other ministers 
of the gospel in this state, to preach, or deliver an address on 
the subject of colonization, on the Sabbath immediately preced- 
ing or succeeding the fourth of July next, and to take up a 
collection to aid in carrying into effect the benevolent purpo- 
ses of the association. This, we hope, will be done as well by 
those clergymen who have no direct pastoral charge of a con- 
gregation, as by those who have; as we presume no difficulty 
will be found in collecting a congregation, for this especial pur- 
pose, in any part of the state. The contributions which you may 
collect, you are respectfully requested to transmit to John 
HoFrMAN, Esq. Treasurer of the Society, Baltimore. 

You will no doubt have been informed, that the State Legis- 
lature have not only granted an act of incorporation to the 
Colonization Society, but have appropriated a considerable 
sum of money to transport emigrants from this state to Liberia. 
This appropriation, however, is strictly applicable to the ex- 
pense of transportation only, and leaves the contingent ex- 
penses of clothing, agricultural implements, mechanical tools, 
&c. essentially necessary to the emigrants, to be provided fur 
by individual contributions; and to meet this necessity, we 
make the present appeal to the public, through the ministers 
of the gospel. 

The claims of the Colonization Society on the favor and 
patronage of the public, are already very extensively known, 






and generally admitted. Whether we estimate these claims 
as patriots, philanthropists, or as christians, they cannot fail 
to impress us with a deep sense of their importance. To the 
patriot, the history and j)resent condition of the colored part 
of our population is a subject of deep regret and mortification, 
while he looks to the future with tiie utmost solicitude and 
apprehension. lie will, therefore, rejoice to hear that the 
stigma, so deeply impressed upon our beloved country, is 
soon to be obliterated, and the happy era dawn upon us, when 
the high claims of justice and humanity shall be no longer 
barred by the imperative duty of self-preservation, but when 
the "salus populi" shall be found to accord with the dictates of 
benevolence. The philanthropist will contemplate, with no 
ordinary emotion, a scheme which promises not only an asylum 
to the free people of color, but which proposes to accomplish 
the total abolition of slavery by means as peaceful as they are 
efficient. To him the enfranchisement of two millions of 
people, their restoration to the land of their forefathers, and 
their establishment in all the rights, and privileges, and dig- 
nity of freemen, is an object of too great magnitude to be 
abandoned while the least hope of its accomplishment lingers 
in the human heart; with what ardor, then, will he labor in 
this glorious enterprize, when there is not only hope, but 
assurance of success. But the christian will associate with 
these motives of the patriot and philanthropist still nobler 
views. He weeps over Africa as a land devoted to the most 
degrading and brutalizing superstition, and will look to the 
Colonization Society as the medium through which the light 
of the gospel is destined to dispel the gross darkness which 
now overshadows the inhabitants of one quarter of the globe, 
and carry to them all the blessings of religion and civiliza- 
tion. 

It is with confidence, then, that we appeal to you, sir, and 
the other ministers of the gospel of all denominations, to aid 
in this work of mercy and benevolence. You will hasten to 
assemble the people, and publish far and wide the glad tidings, 
and receive the willing contributions of all classes of men. — 
The good already done is but the earnest of what is yet to 
be accomplished; and already hundreds of slaves have been 
emancipated by their owners, and are now rejoicing in all 
the blessings of freedom, in a land of corn, of wine, and of 



oil. Hundreds of slaveholders are waiting to strike oflF the 
fetters of those whom they unwillingly hold in bondage, 
whenever the funds of the Colonization Society shall enable 
them to defray the expenses incident to the transportation of 
the liberated captives to Liberia; and when pecuniary means 
only are wanting, the Society rely with confidence on the be- 
nevolence and liberality of their fellow citizens for the neces- 
sary supplies. 

As the objects of the Colonization Society have been igno- 
rantly or designedly misrepresented by its opponents, you are 
authorized to assure your auditory, that the Maryland State 
Society do not limit their views to the removal of the free peo- 
ple of color to Africa, but contemplate, as the chief object of 
their exertions, the diffusion of a moral influence through the 
community, which shall ultimately effect the total abolition of 
slavery in this state. They hope with confidence, that the 
day is not distant when Maryland will assume a dignified 
rank among the free states of the Union. A "consummation 
devoutly to be wished" not for her own sake only, but for the 
benefit of the other slave holding states, which may be induced 
to emulate her example. Tho. E. Bond. 

F. Anderson. 
James Howard. 



The following extracts of letters are added, in order to fur- 
nish you with information in relation to the state of the colo- 
ny of Liberia, and to show the feeling which has been awaken- 
ed among slave owners by the efforts of the agents employed 
by the Colonization society. 

Extract of a letter from Captain Hardie, Master of the ship 
Lafayette, lately from Liberia, to Mr. Moses Sheppard, 

dated 

Baltimore, Jpril 23, 1833. 

Dear Sir: — My recent return from Liberia, enabling me 
to make some remarks upon that place, which may be accep- 
table to you, from your known desire to collect all the infor- 
mation, from every practicable source: I therefore offer you a 
short account of my late visit. For its brevity and inadequate 
description, my short stay and pressure of professional duties, 
will, I trust, be a sufficient apology. 



4 

The approach to the coast was early indicated by the dis- 
coloration of the water, and sounding to a considerable extent, 
in the parallel of Grand Cape Mount, and the height of that 
cape enabling a navigator lo see it a long distance, adds a 
greater security to his appioach to the shore. 

The run down the coast to Cape Mesurado was delightful. 
The land being lower than either cape, was thickly grown 
with trees of various heights, presenting an agreeable variety, 
after the monotony of a sea voyage, and indicated the most 
flattering appearance to the eye. My passengers were enthu- 
siastic, to be "right among the trees with an axe." 

Cape Mesurado was visible some distance off, but not so 
high as Ca])e Mount. The cape has a romantic appearance, 
and very pleasing exterior, when viewed from on board. 
When off this cape, bound in, we were early beset by the 
rowmen, anticipating employment as boatmen, for which they 
are well adapted, in their experience as pilots of the Mesura- 
do river; the bar of which, at certain times, is very danger- 
ous. — After crossing this, the river is well adapted for boats 
and small craft, up to Monrovia, a distance of half a mile. 

Monrovia evinces every mark of its recent settlement. It 
is well laid off in streets, intersecting each other at right an- 
gles; the number of houses is as yet few, but they are com- 
modious and well built of frame, with stone basements. — 
Stone is abundant for that purpose. The soil about Monro- 
via is considered bad and unproductive, owing to the proxim- 
ity of" iron ore, said to be in the vicinity.* The water 1 thought 
excellent, and very pure. The health of Monrovia was as good 
as any partof our country, and I hear but little spoken of sick- 
ness. The climate seemed to agree very well with the emi- 
grants, and their general appearance indicates a great share 
of good health. 

"While at Monrovia I did not know of any person being 
sick, nor did I hear of any person contracting illness there. 
Sick persons, 1 was told came there to recruit and obtain me- 
dical advice. I visited Caldwell, but was much disappointed 
in seeing so little, or no cultivation of the soil, seeing it look- 
ed so rich and productive, and bore such marks of its fertility. 
The houses of the settlers, from their exterior appearance, 

*The town of Monrovia is located on a rocky promontory, affording springs 
of excellent water. The fertile land commences a mile from the town. 



5 

were as convenient and comfortable as circumstances would 
admit; some patches of land visible when ascending the 
river, looked encouraging to agriculturists. The land 
seemed well timbered, as far as I could see, and well 
adapted to sawing for joists and plank, some of which 
I saw at Monrovia. The emigrants and natives live princi- 
pally on casada and rice, obtained to the leeward of Cape 
Mesurado. 

Colonization is very feasible and practicable in my opinion, 
if properly conducted. With industrious habits and perse- 
vering application, I think the colored people can better their 
condition exceedingly. I would discourage, in a certain de- 
gree, the fondness for trading, which is very manifest, as it 
interferes with agricultural pursuits. 

The people of Monrovia (as well as Caldwell, at my visit) 
appeared well dressed, and attended their churches very re- 
gularly. Externals were very favorable. 

Your friend, Robert Hardie. 

Extract of a letter from an Officer of the United States Navy 
to a gentleman in Baltimore, dated 

"Rio de Janeiro, Sept. 28, 1832. 
"We sailed from Boston on the last of February. Our de- 
parture from the coast of America was on the wings of the 
wind, and in about a week I once more breathed in a tempe- 
rate climate, which has been the case ever since. We visit- 
ed the American Colony at Mesurado, on the coast of Africa — 
the second visit that I have made there — and as my duty called 
me to go often on shore, I had an opportunity of seeing the 
condition, and rise, and progress of the manumitted blacks 
that have settled there. I never was more surprised than I 
was to see what a fine state the settlement was in, and the im- 
proved condition and alterations which had been made for 
their comfort in the space of six years. I saw a man there of 
considerable standing in society amongst the colored popula- 
tion at Liberia. He keeps a considerable grocery, is a butcher, 
a preacher, and class leader, and holds the office of justice of 
the peace. I had several times been at his house before I 
had any conversation with him; but when I had, I found that 
he came from Baltimore, first by himself to see the situation 
and prospect of the colony, and after satisfying himself, re- 



6 

turned to Baltimore and took his wife and children with him, 
and settled in Liberia, where I found him in possession of a 
fine two-story house, surrounded by a fine garden, with a 
fine grocery attached to the house, full of goods, which he 
barters with the native negroes for elephant's teeth, gold dust, 
&c. I mentioned to him your father's name; he says he is 
well acquainted, and spoke in the highest terms of him and 
your mother. I found several colored females there also, that 
spoke in raptures whilst conversing about their friends in 
Baltimore. The colony is governed by a white gentleman 
from Philadelphia, who is also their generalissimo and supreme 
judge. He is very humane and encouraging to the indus- 
trious; he is greatly respected by the colonists. There is a 
house for public worship, capable of holding four hundred 
people, and they are now busy in erecting a new stone church 
on a much larger scale. Our captain, who is a professor of 
religion, attended their meetings several times, and says he 
was astonished at the regulaiity and strict attendance observed 
by them. They have also a court house and jail, and several 
large and many small stores, well stocked with American and 
English goods. They have several small and one or two large 
trading vessels; and, in fact, they are in a most flourishing 
condition." 



Unfavorable reports in regard to the healthiness of Liberia 
having been widely circulated, we subjoin the following state- 
ment of facts in relation to the emigrants by the Orion. A 
list of the emigrants by this vessel were sent out to a respect- 
able settler in the colony, with a request that he would as- 
certain the number which have died since they left the United 
States, with the names of the deceased, the diseases with 
which they died, &c. The list was returned, with the follow- 
ing very satisfactory information. Of the thirty-one emigrants 
by the Orion, three had died, viz: one of a cold, one of old 
age, and one of king's evil; by which it appears that none had 
died of the disease of the climate. Among these emigrants 
there were persons of all ages from 2 to 110 years. The ves- 
sel sailed from Baltimore in October, 1831, and our informa- 
tion is up to February, 1833, a period of fourteen months. It 
would perhaps be diflicult to exhibit a statement more favora- 
ble to the salubrity of any part of our own country. 



Copy of a letter from Wm. Jones, of Somerset County, to the 
Rev. Wm. McKenny, Colonization Agent. 

Somerset County. Eastern Shore, Md. JVov. 3, 1832. 

Dear Sir: — Pursuant to a resolution, some time since 
formed, to which my mind has been brought by the great im- 
portance of the subject. I now offer as candidates for emigra- 
tion to the Colony of Liberia in Africa, a family of slaves* 
whose names and ages are mentioned below. 

I am urged to this from various considerations: 

1st. From the consideration of christian duty, which en- 
joins it upon me, to seek and promote, as far as in my power, 
the happiness of mankind. 

2d. The importance of elevating to higher enjoyments a 
miserable and benighted race, whose condition in this country, 
must always be that of "hewers of wood and drawers of wa- 
ter," far below the influence of such motives as lead to hon- 
orable, manly and correct conduct. 

3d. Their claim on us founded in the great principles of 
eternal justice, which can only be fairly met, by restoring 
them to the land of their ancestors: a land to which they have 
a right, growing out of the uncancelled gift of the God of 
the universe. And 

4th. In the hope and confident belief, that the great effort 
which is now making, to better the condition of this unfortu- 
nate race of our fellow creatures, will result in the final ex- 
tinguishment of the debt contracted by our ancestors, so long 
due to Africa; a debt in men, money and morals. This con- 
summation is now ardently desired by all true christians and 
philanthropists. And it is with no small degree of satisfac- 
tion, that 1 find our most distinguished citizens lending their 
aid in support of a cause, the final triumph of which is only 
necessary to fill up the measure of our country's glory. May 
their efforts abound yet more and more, until the only blot 
which stains our political escutcheon, shall be eternally ef- 
faced. 

It gives me pleasure to assure you, dear sir, that my chil- 
dren, who are now all grown, heartily unite with me in this 
act, and in the sentiments I have expressed. 
Very respectfully, your friend, 

(Signed,) William Jones. 

* Thirteen in number. 



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